It was announced three years ago that Asif Kapadia, the director of the controversial Amy Winehouse biopic, Amy, would be putting the spotlight on acclaimed footballer Argentine footballer Diego Maradona. Since then there’s been little word on it, though it was announced he’d receive his own television series on Amazon. Now, HBO is ready to bring Kapadia’s feature about the renowned sports figure to television audiences.
Premiering on September 24, Diego Maradona was culled from over 500 hours of footage related to the soccer player, much of it never before seen. It will focus on the Argentine’s arrival in Naples, his seven years being revered as a god by sports fans, and his self-destructive personal life. The documentary will premiere at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival and receive a limited theatrical run before airing on HBO and their various streaming platforms. Maradona is best remembered for receiving one of the highest fees to switch sports teams in history and for his “Hand of God” goal.
Kapadia is an Oscar winner so there’s no doubt Diego Maradona will turn audiences’ heads. With so many of the streaming services already looking at Latin American history to mine for content, it’s great that HBO is entering the fray with a documentary that should compel people to watch.
Diego Maradona premieres on HBO and HBOGo starting September 24 at 8 p.m.